Colm O'Rourke: Modern giants bow out with a dignity that's been their hallmark

Tyrone have gone to the well once too often but they will be back, says Colm O'Rourke

Colm O'Rourke: Modern giants bow out with a dignity that's been their hallmark

Independent.ie

It was Enoch Powell who said that all political careers end in failure -- the same could be true for football careers if the last game for club or county was allowed to colour all that had gone before.

It was Enoch Powell who said that all political careers end in failure -- the same could be true for football careers if the last game for club or county was allowed to colour all that had gone before.

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Colm O'Rourke: Modern giants bow out with a dignity that's been their hallmark

Independent.ie

It was Enoch Powell who said that all political careers end in failure -- the same could be true for football careers if the last game for club or county was allowed to colour all that had gone before.

Most football careers end with a losing game, but that certainly does not mean failure; and in the same way a career spent striving earnestly without championships or leagues does not mean glorious failure.

Enjoyment of the game is enhanced by victory but is not dependent on it, while success on the way is never reduced in impact or value just because on the last day you wear a jersey the result goes wrong. That absolute truth was never more apparent than in the case of Tyrone last week.

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